Local USAF pilot helps in airline emergency

by Staff Sgt. Jacob Morgan
21st Space Wing Public Affairs

5/28/2014 - PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Most people think that during an emergency they would step up to the plate, act heroically and do what is necessary to save lives. Thinking one might rescue the day is a noble thought, but acting on those thoughts is what sets the nation's heroes above noble thinkers.

"Every pilot thinks 'what would I do if this all goes wrong' on an aircraft they are not controlling," said Capt. Mark Gongol, 13th Air Support Operations Squadron assistant director of operations at Fort Carson. "As a professional courtesy, we all know the aircrew at civilian airlines are extremely qualified, but as a byproduct of being a pilot, I always have a heightened awareness when flying. However, I never thought I would be in the situation I was in."

Gongol, his wife and daughter were on the way from Des Moines International Airport Dec. 30, with 151 other passengers and six crewmembers, after spending the holidays with his family. To him and his family, the day was just like any other, except for a short flight delay due to weather.

Approximately 30 minutes into the flight, Gongol, a B-1B Lancer pilot, noticed the engines power down to idle. The thoughts immediately started jumping through his head; there were a variety of reasons why the engines would shut down to idle, none of them categorized as normal. Slowly, the aircraft began to descend and turn right.

"Over the public address system; a flight attendant asked if there was a doctor on board the plane," said Gongol. "A few more calls went out for medical professionals and the flight attendants were all hurrying to first class with their beverage carts and a first-aid kit."

At that moment, Gongol thought it was a medical emergency with a first class passenger, his instincts told him to stay seated and stay out of the way. A fourth call went out, "are there any non-revenue pilots on board, please ring your call button." Immediately, Gongol realized the pilot was the patient. He looked to his wife; as she gave him a nod, Gongol pressed his button and headed toward the flight deck.

Arriving at the flight deck, Gongol saw four flight attendants and two passenger nurses assembling a make-shift bed, medical kits were strewn across the ground and the captain of the aircraft was seated in his chair, eyes dilated, sweaty, clammy and disoriented. Gongol immediately thought the pilot was suffering some serious cardiac trauma.

"After they moved the pilot, I was asked by the first officer, 'are you a pilot,' which was quickly followed with 'what do you fly,'" said Gongol. "I knew she was in a serious situation and that question gave her five seconds to judge if I would be useful. I also had about five seconds to asses her, 'was she panicking, or was she OK to fly the aircraft?' We both finished our silent assessments, she made the right judgment and told me to close the door and have a seat."

From there, Gongol was calm and collected, and the first officer decided that he would be most useful to talk on the radios, back her up on the aircraft's checklists and look for anything going wrong.

Having been an aircraft commander, Gongol is used to making decisions, but he knew the best way to get the aircraft down safely was to play a support role to the first officer and make things as normal as possible for her. In an emergency situation, he had the ability to place himself outside the situation for a second and make the right call.

"She was calm, but you could tell she was a little stressed, who wouldn't be," said Gongol. "At the beginning, I interrupted her flow of operations, but we figured everything out extremely quickly. She was very impressive."

There were hundreds of issues the two pilots talked through on the aircraft while descending; cabin pressure, approach, contact with air traffic control, visual cues and programming of the auto-pilot were just a few, said Gongol. At about 500 feet above ground level, the first officer hand-flew the approach to a normal touchdown.

After landing, the first officer turned to Gongol and asked if he knew where to taxi, she had never been to the Omaha airport before. Taken aback by how cool, calm and collected the first officer had acted without knowing the airport, Gongol remembered landing at the airport before pilot training.

"Surprisingly, taxiing was the most stressful part of the day for the first officer," said Gongol. "She had never taxied a 737 before and the ATC had no idea that the pilot was the reason for the emergency. We had to make a quick decision that her switching to the pilot's seat and taxiing the aircraft without the training was necessary to save the captain's life."

As the air stairs went down and the aircraft was shut down, Gongol and the first officer talked through the decisions they had just made. Gongol assured the first officer that every decision she made would be backed up by him; he would have taken the exact same actions had he been in her place.

The captain of the aircraft is recovering well and contacted Gongol directly to thank him. The crew of the aircraft, the two nurses who provided first aid for the captain and the first officer have all been in contact with Gongol; an emergency has brought together several strangers as friends.

"I saw nothing but the finest professionalism under pressure out of the flight attendants, the nurses and the first officer," said Gongol. "Everyone aboard the aircraft remained calm, there is no doubt in my mind this contributed above all else to our successful outcome. In my opinion any military pilot would have done the exact same thing I did."

Gongol acted in an emergency situation, realized the role that would be best for him to play and while he was not necessarily the direct savior to more than 150 souls on board, his actions contributed to a safe ending to the flight. His actions, according to him, do not make him a hero. However, they surely place him one step above a noble thinker.

Fire chief takes flight with Thunderbirds

by Michael Golembesky
21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer

5/28/2014 - PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Flight physical: check. Safety brief: check. Preflight checks: complete. Next up: a 400 mph ride with the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, better known as the Thunderbirds.

The Thunderbirds landed at Peterson May 26 in preparation for the Air Force Academy graduation ceremony May 28. As part of their community outreach program, the squadron provides selected community figures with a once-in-a-lifetime chance to ride in the backseat of one of the Thunderbirds aircraft.

"I was very surprised at first when I received the phone call," said Chief Christopher Riley, Colorado Springs Fire Department chief and selected guest Thunderbirds passenger. "I am very honored and excited about the opportunity to fly with the Thunderbirds."

Riley was one of two VIPs selected to fly with the world-famous Thunderbirds. The other was local TV personality and meteorologist, Rachael Plath of KRDO News.

"I am not nervous, these people (the Thunderbird squadron) are complete professionals and have a lot of experience with handling guests like myself," said Riley. "I did a little research, but from watching TV, the news and movies, I have a pretty good idea about what I am getting myself into."

The individuals selected for this unique opportunity are selected from a handful of names submitted, mostly by their peers, and represent the local community through their service or influence in bettering Colorado Springs as a whole.

"The extension of this invite is by virtue of the position I hold, I am extremely honored to be the Colorado Springs fire chief, and on behalf of the outstanding men and women of the fire department, I am here to represent them," said Riley.

The Thunderbirds were formed in 1953, and 2014 marks the 32nd year the squadron has performed in the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

Assigned to Air Combat Command, the squadron is composed of nearly 130 Airmen serving in more than two dozen Air Force job specialties.

The primary product of that teamwork is the Thunderbirds aerial demonstration, which is approximately 40 maneuvers, varying between formation flying and solo routines. The entire show, including the beginning ground ceremony, lasts about one hour. A typical air show travel season extends from March to November.

The Thunderbirds provided its traditional flyover at the U.S. Air Force Academy graduation May 28, followed by an aerial demonstration.

To learn more about the Thunderbirds and their schedule, visit www.afthunderbirds.com. On Facebook, Instagram Twitter or YouTube search for afthunderbirds.

Naval War College 'Breaks the Ice' with Arctic Security Elective

From U.S. Naval War College Public Affairs

NEWPORT, R.I. (NNS) -- Students and faculty assigned to U.S. Naval War College's (NWC) inaugural Arctic Security class participated in the Arctic Strategy and Policy Seminar (ASPS) at NWC in Newport, Rhode Island, May 21-22.

The seminar serves as the capstone event for the Arctic Security course, providing an opportunity to educate and develop leaders and help define the future Navy and its associated roles and missions in the Arctic.

"The capstone seminar provided an amazing opportunity to engage with expert U.S. Arctic officials," said Lt. Cmdr. Jamy Brasfield, a NWC student. "The last 10 weeks has allowed me to gain a deeper appreciation for the many unique challenges of operating at the tactical and operational levels and the myriad of issues effecting strategic thinking in the Arctic."

The two-day event stimulated strategic thinking among U.S. officials about complex risks, potential threats, and U.S. interests in the Arctic, and giving students an opportunity to present solution proposals and receive direct feedback from real-world Arctic policy-makers.

"Thinking through challenging scenarios and possible alternative futures in the Arctic out to 2065 prompted us to reflect on current plans and polices, and the connections between long-term end-states and near-term requirements in the Arctic," said Lt. Cmdr. Brandon Kraser, event participant and Arctic planner at Joint Task Force Alaska.

The seminar provided an effective forum to help shape the Navy's thinking in the Arctic and inform current and future initiatives that support implementation of the U.S. Navy's Arctic Roadmap released this past February.

"The ASPS was a worthy culmination to an important course," said Lt. Cmdr. Russell Meier, Arctic portfolio administrator for U.S. Fleet Forces Command. "Student presentations and the event in general generated robust debate that will both inform Navy component commanders and the Navy's numbered fleet commanders identify and plan for emerging operational requirements in the Arctic."

The Arctic Security course is currently offered to NWC students as an elective and marks the beginning of an emerging field of study that will help the Navy over the long-term. Six Navy officers and four international officers from Canada, Norway and Denmark, completed the course in its first offering May 2014.

"This will foster an active and growing community of joint and naval leaders charged with planning and operating in the Arctic today and in the future," said Walter Berbrick, a NWC professor and director, Arctic Regional Studies Group.

7th Fleet Medical Team Trains with Indonesia and Malaysia Doctors On board Blue Ridge

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Toni N. Burton, Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs

JAKARTA, Indonesia (NNS) -- U.S. 7th Fleet's medical staff hosted Malaysian and Indonesian military medical teams underway aboard the flag ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) May 22 - 25.

The training and discussions focused on the importance of medical expertise in shipboard and dive medicine, medical planning, medical evacuation procedures and techniques, as well as foreign disaster assistance and health department readiness.

"Underway training provided a venue for the U.S. Navy and our allied military medical organizations to get together strengthen relationships and learn from one another," said Lt. Cmdr. Roderick Davis, 7th Fleet lead medical planner for Malaysia and Indonesia. "The visit allowed for subject matter experts to share and discuss their nation's medical capabilities while enhancing military-to-military cooperation."

The program is part of a long-range initiative to enhance partnership and understanding with allied medical professionals in the region. In this new experience for the riders on a U.S. Navy ship, they were able to interact with the crew and witness shipboard operations such as man overboard drills, casualty transport and treatment, the routine examination process and daily medical walk-in procedures.

"It was good to experience a medical setting on a ship," said Indonesian navy Capt. Tonny Adriyanto, military medical physician. "We are not experienced with shipboard health department readiness, so we learned from people that have been doing it and this knowledge is good for us."

The exchange of information was designed not just for training but to also open the door for better communication in the future. This open communication is essential for rapid response to medical emergencies in the region.

"When foreign disasters occur, such as typhoons, earthquakes, etcetera, we will be able to coordinate and communicate more effectively," said Davis. "It is very important to learn about each others medical capabilities, procedures and techniques."

"This was the first time for us to witness how everyone works and helps each other," said Malaysian army, Capt. Nur Hidayah Binti Shamsudin, military medical officer. "We exchanged a lot of knowledge and shared information. It was a really good time.

Winnefeld Warns of ‘Overwhelming Response’ to Missile Strikes

By Nick Simeone

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 28, 2014 – Iran and North Korea, considered by the United States to be the chief nuclear and missile threats to the nation, know they would face “an overwhelming U.S. response to any attack” on the United States or its allies, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said today.

Successive U.S. administrations have consistently said that all options remain on the table should either nation deploy or use a nuclear weapon, but Navy Adm. James A. Winnefeld Jr. used strong language in remarks to a missile defense conference here.

“We have to take that threat seriously, even though neither nation yet has a mature capability,” he said.

A robust and capable missile defense, Winnefeld said, is the best way to defend the nation from such an attack, and should remain the nation’s top missile defense priority.

“The enemy knows there will be a significant price to pay with a missile launch against the United States,” the vice chairman said. “This is about ensuring we can deny the objectives of any insecure authoritarian state that believes acquisition of deliverable weapons of mass destruction is key to the preservation of its regime.”

The admiral identified North Korea, followed by Iran, as the chief threats to the United States, given both countries’ nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

Winnefeld described North Korea as being closer than any other American adversary to being able to reach such a threshold, even though U.S. officials to date have not seen the North test a missile capable of reaching the U.S. homeland. But “that could happen suddenly,” Winnefeld said, with the United States on alert with ground-based interceptors intended to take out an incoming warhead as part of nation’s expanding missile defense system.

“We’re not betting on Dennis Rodman as our deterrent against a future North Korean ICBM threat,” the vice chairman said, a reference to the several private trips the former professional basketball player has made to Pyongyang and his expressions of friendship with leader Kim Jong Un.

As part of the U.S. response to the most recent provocations from the North, Winnefeld told American Forces Press Service, the United States has conducted a site survey in South Korea with the goal of being prepared to quickly deploy a Terminal High Altitude Air Defense System battery to the peninsula to defend the U.S. treaty ally should the need arise.

The THADD system is capable of shooting down short-, medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles in their terminal phase. Its interceptors use a “hit-to-kill approach,” relying on the kinetic energy of the impact to destroy the incoming missile.

Last year, such a system was deployed to Guam as a precautionary move to protect American interests there.

Countering threats posed by North Korea will be among the topics discussed when Asian defense chiefs, along with Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, meet in Singapore beginning May 20 for the annual Shangri-La Dialogue Asia Security Summit.

Hagel Orders Comprehensive Military Health System Review

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 28, 2014 – Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has ordered a comprehensive review of the Military Health System.

Dr. Jonathan Woodson, the assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, will lead the review, Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said in a statement.

The review, Kirby said, will focus on access to care and an assessment of the safety and quality of health care, both in military treatment facilities and in health care that the Defense Department purchases from civilian providers.

Expected to last for 90 days, the review will examine whether current access to care meets the department's standards, Kirby said. It will also examine the safety and quality of the care provided to all DOD beneficiaries, he added.

“Following the review, the secretary will receive recommendations on areas for improvement,” the admiral said, “with a specific focus on those areas where we are not meeting a nationally defined standard or a DOD policy-directed standard.”

Hagel will meet this morning with Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work and the service secretaries to discuss the review’s parameters and his expectations for it, Kirby said.

The Military Health System provides health care for more than 9.6 million beneficiaries, including active duty service members, retirees and eligible family members.

Royal Saudi Air Force Commander visits D-M during Exercise ANGEL THUNDER

by Tech. Sgt. Heather Redman
12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) Public Affairs

5/27/2014 - DAVIS-MONTHAN AFB, Ariz.  -- The Royal Saudi Air Force's Commander visited Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, for a first-hand look at Exercise ANGEL THUNDER May 8-10.

Lieutenant General pilot Fayyad Al-Ruwaili, commander of the RSAF, led the Saudi delegation during the visit. The visit included a tour of the 612th Air and Space Operations Center and a trip to Flagstaff, Arizona, to monitor Exercise ANGEL THUNDER scenarios.

The 612th AOC provides command and control of air and space power in United States Southern Command's area of responsibility. In support of USSOUTHCOM's Theater Security Cooperation plan, the 612th AOC partners with Caribbean, Central, and South American air forces to forge relationships that will enhance security and cooperation within the AOR.

It provides the Combined Forces Air Component commander the necessary tools to plan, execute, and manage any type of air campaign in the USSOUTHCOM's AOR.

The 612th AOC is also the innovative leader of all AOCs for real-world execution and operational testing in air, space, and information operations. The expansive communications infrastructure installed at the 612th AOC makes this facility ideal for testing new command and control, communication, and intelligence systems prior to fielding the capabilities within AOC's around the globe.

Another area of interest during the visit was the ongoing Exercise ANGEL THUNDER. While visiting exercise sites in Northern Arizona Al-Ruwaili witnessed demonstrations by helicopters and C-130s as well as a mass casualty scenario.

Exercise ANGEL THUNDER is the largest and most realistic joint service, multi-national, interagency combat search and rescue exercise designed to provide training for personnel recovery assets using a variety of scenarios to simulate deployment conditions and contingencies. It is the only exercise in the Department of Defense covering personnel recovery training across the full spectrum of irregular and conventional warfare and has become the world's largest and most complex personnel recovery exercise.

During Exercise ANGEL THUNDER personnel recovery forces train through the full spectrum of personnel recovery capabilities with ground recovery personnel, air assets, Special Forces teams and federal agents.

Saudi Arabia is a strong U.S. ally in the gulf region and provides a geo-strategic access to the region. The U.S Air Force and the RSAF share a very close military relationship that includes training, exercises, personnel exchanges and significant foreign military sales interaction.

In Trusty, Air Force One can trust

by Airman 1st Class Kedesha Pennant
7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

5/27/2014 - DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- "Congratulations! Your application has passed the screening process and you've been selected for assignment to the 89th Airlift Wing Presidential Logistics Squadron."

These were the words Staff Sgt. Billy Trusty Jr. read in an e-mail pertaining to his next assignment at Andrews Air Force Base, Md.

Trusty, a 7th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron B-1B Lancer crew chief, received the chance of a lifetime to join the ranks of Airmen who are selected to perform maintenance on Air Force One (VC-25). He applied for this five-year special duty assignment while deployed to Southwest Asia last year.

"The last e-mail I saw about the presidential support team was when I deployed," Trusty said. "I realized it was an awesome opportunity, so I started the application process immediately."

Trusty had been thinking about the chance to be a part of the Air Force One fleet after seeing fellow Airmen get picked up for the job, while constantly seeing e-mails about open positions.

"I wanted to try something new," Trusty said. "You learn something new every day on the B-1, but I wanted to learn about different airframes as well. This is a great opportunity to expand my aircraft knowledge and set myself up for success in the future. Not a lot of people can say they have had the privilege of maintaining Air Force One."

The B-1 crew chief was doubtful about his chances of getting the job, as he didn't want to get his hopes up. Prior to starting the application, he thought about it for a few days and figured it was more than worth a try.

"All the work I've put in at Dyess and everything I've learned will be useful at Andrews," Trusty said. "It feels pretty exciting, but overwhelming at the same time. I know this job is very competitive, so I'm just thankful my name was on that list."

Trusty is also thankful for his leadership who helped steer him in the right direction.

"Tech. Sgt. Hansen was my first supervisor, and he showed me the ropes of the B-1," Trusty said. "Tech. Sgt. Barney has taught me a lot about the administrative aspect of being a noncommissioned officer. I also appreciate the flight chiefs, because they are very understanding and helpful."

Tech. Sgt. Jay Barney, Trusty's supervisor, sees the potential in him and his embodiment of the Air Force's core values.

"Staff Sgt. Trusty shows a lot of aspiration and he performs outstandingly at his present position," said Tech. Sgt. Jay Barney, 7th AMXS B-1 expeditor. "He is a great asset to the 7th AMXS, and I have no doubt he is worthy of laboring in the presidential support function. Trusty is, as his name points out, a very trustworthy NCO. Over the years, I have had the pleasure of working with him, and he has always impressed me with his work ethic and abilities. He gets the job done."

Barney also notes Trusty's character and positive attitude. He is known in the shop for his sense of humor and upbeat personality.

"Staff Sgt. Trusty's sense of humor has been a great asset to our unit for combating the stressors present on the line. He cracks jokes and provides any other form of comic relief, which helps lighten the mood throughout the shift," Barney said. "He always has a positive attitude, which seems to be rare these days. He cares about the mission, unit and the people. It shows in the way he conducts himself on and off duty. I'm proud to be associated with him and can't wait to hear about all the great things he will be doing throughout his career."

Like any job that involves ensuring the safety of the commander in chief, Trusty already knows what lies ahead as far as the importance of this line of work.

"Just being able to work for the president is a high honor," Trusty said. "I am looking forward to working on an aircraft with such significance. I will be responsible for changing parts and ensuring the aircraft is safe for the president and other distinguished leaders."

Dyess is Trusty's first base where he made his mark as an Airman and transitioned into a noncommissioned officer. As he embarks on his new journey, he hopes to build on the foundation he's been a part of at the 7th AMXS.

"I will miss being a dedicated crew chief and basically owning my own jet," Trusty said. "My shop is like a family to me since I've been here for seven years, so I hope to develop this type of relationship at Andrews."